Global timing: A conceptual framework to investigate the neural basis of rhythm perception in humans and non-human species

Abstract

Timing cues are an essential feature of music. To understand how the brain gives rise to our experience of music we must appreciate how acoustical temporal patterns are integrated over the range of several seconds in order to extract global timing. In music perception, global timing comprises three distinct but often interacting percepts: temporal grouping, beat, and tempo. What directions may we take to further elucidate where and how the global timing of music is processed in the brain? The present perspective addresses this question and describes our current understanding of the neural basis of global timing perception. Rhythm perception is essential to our appreciation of music. Since music is a human construct and rhythm is defined primarily by its use in music, it is unclear whether studies of rhythm in non-human species directly relate to human rhythm perception. In this perspective, we use the term "global timing" as a conceptual framework, to emphasize the temporal computation required to perceive and recognize rhythm that is not unique to musical contexts, but is nonetheless required to perceive and recognize a musical rhythm. With this terminology, we also aim to facilitate the comparison of research findings across different animal models, where perception may take a different behavioral form but neural mechanisms may nevertheless be shared. We discuss the conceptual framework of global timing in light of recent research in both humans and other animal species, examine which brain regions may underlie global timing perception, and speculate on its potential neural mechanisms. © 2014 Geiser, Walker and Bendor.